MIAMI BEACH, Fla., September 11, 2025 — In recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9/11, Jewish National Fund-USA partnered with Hebrew Academy RASG, the Consulate General of Israel in Miami, and the City of Miami Beach Fire and Police Departments to remember those who perished on September 11, 2001, and to honor local first responders who bravely serve our communities.
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Speakers at the ceremony, which was held outside MBFD’s Station 2 on Pine Tree Drive on Thursday, September 11, 2025, included Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, Miami Beach Fire Chief Digna Abello, Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones, Jewish National Fund-USA's Global Executive Director of Zionist Education Lieutenant Colonel (res) Zohar Vloski, Hebrew Academy Director of Torah Studies (Grades K-8) Rabbi Ari Karp, and Miami Beach City Manager Eric Carpenter.
“September 11 reminds us of both the devastating loss of innocent lives and the extraordinary courage of our nation’s first responders," said Mayor Meiner. "We honor the firefighters and police officers who ran toward danger to save others, and whose sacrifice is a powerful example of the strength, duty, and patriotism that define America as we stand with our own Miami Beach Police and Fire Departments who carry that legacy forward every day."
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The first responders lowered the American flag to half-staff, and a moment of silence was observed at 8:46 a.m., corresponding to the time when hijackers deliberately crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Additionally, as part of the “Shared Values: Honoring our Heroes” program, Vloski presented Mayor Meiner, Fire Chief Abello, and Police Chief Jones with plaques featuring an image of Jewish National Fund-USA’s and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem — the only commemorative site of its type outside of the U.S. that lists all the names of those who perished in the attacks. These plaques also represent the firefighters, paramedics, and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and worked tirelessly to save countless lives on that infamous day, paying tribute to beloved first responders in Miami Beach and beyond.
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“At Jewish National Fund-USA, we are committed to honoring the deep connection and shared values between the United States and Israel, including peace, religious tolerance, democracy, freedom, resilience, and fighting terrorism,” said Vloski. “Each year, this memorial in Jerusalem serves as the site of a joint 9/11 ceremony with the U.S., as both countries honor the heroes who walk among us. We continue that dedication by honoring the local heroes in our community, celebrating their commitment and sacrifice.”
“Our partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA made this program deeply meaningful, as it highlights the strong alliance between Israel and our own community,” added Rabbi Karp. “Honoring first responders here in Miami Beach reminds the students here at Hebrew Academy that values of courage, service, and sacrifice are shared across borders. We stand together in support of the brave men and women who protect us locally and beyond.”
Jewish National Fund-USA also hosted a 9/11 ceremony with students from Tamim Academy in Miami as well as its annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony from the 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem earlier that day, uniting U.S. and Israeli leaders, including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, first responders, victims’ families, and South Floridians including several who are traveling abroad and students attending the fall semester at Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Highlights included a Presentation of the Colors by the United States Marines, remarks by Ambassador Huckabee, Jewish National Fund-USA President Deb Lust Zaluda, KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski, and NYPD Chief of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Thomas Galati, as well as performances by the Special in Uniform Band and freed hostage Dafna Elyakim, the Israeli teenager who survived captivity after being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. A recording of the ceremony can be viewed on Jewish National Fund-USA's YouTube channel.
A recording of the 9/11 ceremony at the Miami Beach Fire Department can be viewed on the MBFD Facebook page.
For more information or to partner with Jewish National Fund-USA on future 9/11 ceremonies, contact Zohar Vloski at 561-447-9733 x898 or zvloski@jnf.org.
